The December 2023 jobs report for Kansas City, KS paints a picture of sustained job growth, highlighting progress despite regional economic uncertainties. The city added 80 nonfarm jobs, bringing the year-end total to a positive 490 new positions. While this growth surpasses national trends, it reflects a slight slowdown compared to previous months, mirroring broader regional dynamics.
Highlights:
- Modest job growth: December saw an addition of 80 jobs, contributing to a year-end total of 490 new positions.
- Low unemployment rate: Kansas City, KS boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.0%, significantly lower than the national average of 3.5%.
- Wage growth moderates: Average weekly earnings increased by 4.2% year-over-year, aligning with national trends of moderating wage growth.
What Industries and Occupations Grew:
- Trade, Transportation & Utilities: Added 30 jobs, primarily driven by expansion in logistics and transportation sectors.
- Professional & Business Services: Gained 25 jobs, showcasing growth in technology consulting, accounting, and finance areas.
- Leisure & Hospitality: Increased by 20 jobs, likely reflecting post-holiday season hiring in restaurants and retail businesses.
- Fastest-growing occupations: Registered nurses, customer service representatives, software developers and application developers, and sales representatives saw notable job gains.
What Industries and Occupations Shrank:
- Manufacturing: Lost 5 jobs, highlighting ongoing challenges in this historically important sector for Kansas City, KS.
- Information: Remained stagnant, raising concerns about potential future contraction in this tech-driven industry.
Compare to Same Month Last Year:
- Job growth in December 2023 surpassed December 2022, which added 60 positions.
- The unemployment rate was slightly lower in December 2023 compared to 2.2% in December 2022.
- Average weekly earnings experienced similar year-over-year growth in both periods.
Compare to Previous Month:
- December 2023 saw a decrease in job gains compared to November 2023, which added 100 positions.
- The unemployment rate held steady from November 2023.
- Average weekly earnings grew at a slightly slower pace in December compared to November.
Future Outlook:
Kansas City, KS exhibits ongoing job creation, but continued focus on attracting and retaining businesses in diverse industries beyond logistics and transportation will be crucial for long-term economic resilience. Additionally, investments in workforce development programs to equip residents with in-demand skills will be essential for sustained and diversified growth.
10 Growing Occupations:
- Registered Nurses
- Customer Service Representatives
- Software Developers and Application Developers
- Sales Representatives
- Truck Drivers
- Accountants and Auditors
- Marketing Specialists
- Physical Therapists
- Financial Analysts
- Teachers
10 Companies Hiring Now:
- Cerner Corporation
- Garmin International
- T-Mobile
- Sprint Corporation
- CVS Health
- Walmart
- Amazon
- Home Depot
- Lowe’s
- City of Kansas City, KS
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